Besides Jharkhand, Meghalaya and Andhra Pradesh, deposits of the precious metal have been found in other parts of the country as well and these were at different stages of evaulation, UCIL chairman-cum-managing director Ramendra Gupta told newsmen here.

UCIL will invest roughly Rs 3,100 crore to open new mines and set up processing plants in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya.

Gupta said that the UCIL is investing Rs 650 crore in Jharkhand alone. Turamdih ore processing plant would be commissioned by December, 2006. Banduhurang, Bagjata and Mahuldih project of UCIL in Jharkhand are likely to be completed by the yer 2007, 2008 and 2010 respectively.

In Meghalaya the Kylleng-Pyndemsohiong-Mawthabah would start next year, he said. The road to the mining area has already been constructed and a clearance from the Environment Ministry is awaited.